And in this moment I am happy!

I've been looking forward to our trip in Laoag for weeks and I was just so happy to have that needed break. I was of course also excited to spend time with my family. I've been telling Mom to book us a flight to Laoag because it was gonna be a long drive from Alabang. 12 frikking hours!!! But there was no available flight and so the road trip began...

It wasn't bad really. First stop was La Union. I've been there already but it was a long time ago. Anyway, we just stopped over there because Dad got tired already. He and Kuya Nono alternated in driving and we needed to stop anyway we've been on the road a long time. We stayed in this resort and Dad was excited to see the band who was gonna play at the bar (Mom says he's having he's 2nd childhood watching all these small-time bands whom he calls "raw talents"). After doing my Statistics homework (Unbelievable?! Believe it..I brought with me my school stuff!), we went to the bar. As expected, it was just beside the beach. I'm easily excited by the site of the sea and when I saw that there were huge waves, I was high. It was a beautiful night. I felt the cool breeze and the stars were twinkling. I was marvelous. The band was playing love songs and it made my heart ache a bit. Mom and Dad were enjoying each other's company, Kuya Nono was texting Tricia and Ate Erin..well she just had a conversation with Jan before we went to the bar. Zaza wasn't with us, but I knew that at that moment, she's probably talking to Carlo. The thought made the night even colder. I wanted to go back to our room, but the night was just too beautiful. So I stayed there and listened as the band played love songs wishing wishing wishing... (Ikay, that's when I texted you!)

Second stop was Vigan. I've never been there. All I knew was that there were really old houses there from the Spanish era. I didn't think that would interest me, but I was just amazed when I saw them. Even the McDonald's there looked like there were from the Spanishe era. After eating in Cafe Leona (the house of this Leona person...hehe!), we had a kalesa ride that toured us around the city. I'm not so good with describing things, so I'll post the pictures here soon. Hehe..

Finally, we reached Laoag. After checking in, Kuya Nono and I went straight to the beach where there were big waves. It was fun. Then all of us took the banana boat ride. It was all quality time with the family. The beach was nice. I loved feeling the fine sand in my toes. Nipa Beach Resort was a nice place though I've never felt so alienated in my own country! There were more Taiwanese than Filipinos. Well..a bunch of Taiwanese probably owns the place. Even the music was Taiwanese! Everything! It was a very nice place though.

But the best was still to come when we went to Pagudpod, "The best beach in Luzon." It was another 2 hour drive from Laoag. The roadtrip was great. Dad was doing this survey about powerplants for a project they have. He's been talking about their windmill project the whole ride when we saw a sign saying that there's a windmill somewhere. We entered the dust road (and for the first time ever, my beloved Ford Expedition sailed through it..swabe! I felt like we were in a Safari!). It was really windy (duhh..that's why they're having windmills!). Then we reached the end of the road. We were parked in the middle of this huge field with goats. We were actually standing in the edge of the Philippines, to our right was a spectacular view of the ocean (Dad said it was the China Sea). The waves were so cool. It's like the ocean was so happy to see us splashing waves in every direction. (I'll post pictures I swear!)

Then we reached Pagudpod. It was heavenly. We had the whole beach to ourselves. Brandon Boyd just captured that moment perfectly:

I dig my toes into the sand
The ocean looks like a thousand diamonds strewn across a blue blanket
I lean against the wind
Pretend that I am helpless
And in this moment I am happy.

I lay my head onto the sand
The sky resembled a backlit canopy with holes punched in it.

I was happy. I was at peace. It was glorious, a natural high.

It's these things that make me believe in the existence of God. In the midst of all the pollution in the city, the economic crisis, bullshit happening in the world, one would still find comfort and beauty in nature.